I moved from Florida, back to Kentucky, a few years ago. I had a perfectly good job that I was leaving and not job lined-up in Kentkucy, however, with a handfull of clients and a Mac Mini, I 'supported' myself for an entire year. This was the first time I had actually worked for myself without the safety net of a full-time job.

It was TOUGH! ;)

After living on beans, and riding my bike everywhere, I was hired as a Project Manager for local web design and marketing firm. The reason I stopped living my dream? I missed working in a team and the daily knowledge sharing. I was not ready to go it alone just yet.

I'll continue my dream; but for now it'll have to be after hours.

A few lessons learned along the way:

Don't start any work untill you have a signed agreement or a deposit

Know how to identify the time vampires :)

Those with smaller budgets will want the most; those with bigger budgets are easier to please

Remember that you not your client's employee.

During the day your home is your office. Beware of friends who think that you are free all day. Gently let them know that you are working and that your time is worth money

Get up and move around/take a short walk every 2-3 hours

When your are loaded down with work that is the time to look for more work. As soon as you finish you may go through a dry spell unless you have more work lined up.

Know when to call it a day. :)

Work comes in 3's. Several clients will ask for work at the same time. (is there a name for this phenomenon?)

Perhaps the most important - People may not remember the details of a coversation, however, they will remember how they felt after. Be nice!

I moved from Florida, back to Kentucky, a few years ago. I had a perfectly good job that I was leaving and not job lined-up in Kentkucy, however, with a handfull of clients and a Mac Mini, I 'supported' myself for an entire year. This was the first time I had actually worked for myself without the safety net of a full-time job.

It was TOUGH! ;)

After living on beans, and riding my bike everywhere, I was hired as a Project Manager for local web design and marketing firm. The reason I stopped living my dream? I missed working in a team and the daily knowledge sharing. I was not ready to go it alone just yet.

I'll continue my dream; but for now it'll have to be after hours.

A few lessons learned along the way:

Don't start any work untill you have a signed agreement or a deposit

Know how to identify the time vampires :)

Those with smaller budgets will want the most; those with bigger budgets are easier to please

Remember that you not your client's employee.

During the day your home is your office. Beware of friends who think that you are free all day. Gently let them know that you are working and that your time is worth money

Get up and move around/take a short walk every 2-3 hours

When your are loaded down with work that is the time to look for more work. As soon as you finish you may go through a dry spell unless you have more work lined up.

Know when to call it a day. :)

Work comes in 3's. Several clients will ask for work at the same time. (is there a name for this phenomenon?)

Perhaps the most important - People may not remember the details of a coversation, however, they will remember how they felt after. Be nice!